Losing is tough, especially in the playoffs, but Joel Embiid took Philadelphia's elimination in the Eastern Conference semifinals particularly hard.

The 76ers star appeared to be crying after the team's last-second Game 7 loss to the Raptors on Sunday, but 9-year-old Olivia Djamoos wrote a letter to her favorite player assuring him that "it's O.k. to lose sometimes."

"You are my favorite basketball player," the letter read. "I am sorry that you lost. I saw you crying on T.V. It's O.k. to lose sometimes. I lost basketball games too. You got so far and I am proud of you and the 76ers!"

Embiid found it difficult to expand on his emotions while speaking to reporters after the game.

"Game 7, losing a game that way, last shot, after a hard-fought game, I felt like we had a chance," Embiid said. "A lot of things go through your mind. It sucks. I can't explain it, it just sucks."

Still, Embiid praised Raptors star Kawhi Leonard, who sunk the rim-rattling buzzer-beater to close out the series.

"He's a great player, obviously," he said. "He did his thing. You've got to give him credit. He made some tough shots the whole series. They leaned on him heavily."